====== Welcome ======

If you are viewing this page it is usually because you are a new Silent Dismissal client.

This page describes the major steps to begin using Silent Dismissal.

If you have been directed to this page, you are part way through the [[admin:getting_started|getting started process]].
===== Data =====
In order to function, Silent Dismissal requires specific information from your school. The information can usually be exported to a spreadsheet from a combination of internal school documents and your student information system.

The exact format of the data is described on the [[admin:spreadsheet_file_format|Spreadsheet File Format Page]].

Prepare this data then send it to Silent Dismissal electronically or load it yourself using the Bulk Load option under the Accounts, Groups, and Students menu items available to administrators.
===== Staff Instructions =====
The roles of classroom instructor and dismissal staff are relatively easy to perform provided some basic operational methods are followed.

Quick start documents will assist in training [[http://silentdismissal.com/classqs.pdf|teachers]] and [[http://silentdismissal.com/dismissalqs.pdf|dismissal staff]].

Also check out the best practices guides for [[classroom:best_practices|Classroom]] and [[dismissal:best_practices|Dismissal Staff]].

Administrators typically require a short, less than 1 hour, teleconference to assist in their use of the application.

===== Parent Placards =====
Pick Up IDs, or Parent Placards, are required for parents to pick up students from the school. [[admin:print_car_tags:car_tags|Read about creating them]].